AcademicIbstock inspires curious thinkers who share a thirst for knowledge. With a learning journey as unique as each pupil, we unlock each child’s potential and provide an education that nurtures academic rigour and inquiry. At each stage throughout the School, our pupils are supported and challenged so that they can confidently navigate our modern world. |
Mrs Alice O'KellyCo-Head Prep |
Our Approach
We are committed to providing outstanding teaching for ambitious learning.
Delivering this is a team of teaching staff who are passionate about creating a stimulating, supportive and joyful environment. Being kind, curious and courageous are at the core of everything we do, with these three attributes embedded in every lesson, and awards given to pupils who demonstrate them throughout the school day. Our child-centred approach ensures there are opportunities for all to strive for the next level.
Our Curriculum
We strive to make our lessons ‘experience rich’ by ensuring the latest technology is woven seamlessly across the curriculum, alongside a wide variety of trips and visits to help bring learning to life.
Our main curriculum goal is to spark our pupils’ curiosity and instil a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
Through themed weeks we enhance pupils’ learning experiences, with guest speakers, workshops and engaging activities. These include STEAM Week, Humanities Week, World Book Week and Arts Week.
We delight in providing opportunities for our pupils to go beyond the curriculum. There are numerous competitions which take place throughout the year, with the chance to gain national recognition. These include involvement in the National Quiz Championships in Maths, the National Quiz Championship General Knowledge at Oxford University, and ISA Dance competition.
Curriculum Map
| Prep 4 |
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| Prep 5 |
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| Prep 6 |
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Partnership with Parents
We value getting to know each child and their family and believe that good communication between home and School is vital to help our young people thrive.
We operate an open-door policy for parents/carers to come in at any time to talk to teachers or member of the Primary Leadership Team.
There are a huge number of opportunities for parents and carers to see their child at Ibstock, through performances, concerts, sporting events and art shows and ceremonies.
Meetings between class teachers and parents are scheduled three times a year to discuss the individual progress of pupils and their wellbeing, celebrate their achievements and set progress targets. Each term, parents and families are also invited to see pupils’ work in the classroom at our ‘Open House’.
At the beginning of each year, our parent community are also invited into school to meet other parents and familiarise themselves with the school through our welcome mornings and curriculum briefings.
A Unique Learning Environment
| Facilities Designed to Inspire |
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Our learning environment is bright, cheerful and nurturing to ensure our pupils feel safe and happy to bound into School each day. Specialist facilities designed to inspire young learners include an Art studio, Music room, and STEAM computer lab and Science lab. The ‘Richmond Park’ themed Pre-Prep library is overseen by our specialist Librarian, with an impressive and diverse collection to encourage a love of reading. Ibstock’s impressive modern wood-panelled Refectory has won two RIBA awards and is used by pupils for assemblies, performances daily lunches. Ibstock’s magnificent main theatre comprises a stage, auditorium and gallery with seating for up to 250. Facilities include an orchestra pit, extensive foyer areas, green room and dressing rooms. A brand-new Innovation Centre is equipped with the latest Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) devices. The centre includes a recording studio for podcasting and audio editing, and a green screen stage for video production and motion capture. |
| Outdoor Learning |
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Outdoor learning has many benefits to children, including positive improving their health and wellbeing. We aim to take advantage of our beautiful campus grounds, Bluebell Woods Forest school and proximity to Richmond Park whenever possible. Outdoor reading, Art and Science lessons are a regular occurrence and termly Wellbeing Walks for each year group to nearby Richmond Park. |
| Innovation and Digital Literacy |
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We understand the importance of teaching children to confidently navigate an increasingly digital world. All our classrooms have their own state-of-the-art interactive screens, alongside a set of ipads which are woven seamlessly into all curriculum areas. Through weekly Computing lessons from Prep 1, our pupils learn important IT literacy skills with important topics such as internet safety given prominence through our PSCHE curriculum and assemblies. As they grow through the Prep school, pupils benefit from using the Innovation Centre facilities including recording studio for podcasting and audio editing, and green screen stage for video production and motion capture. |
Academic FAQ
| How many pupils are in a class? |
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| Our pupils learn in classes of between 18- 24. |
| Do you stream or set pupils by ability? |
| Our pupils stay with their teaching group for most subjects. In these mixed ability groups, our teaching staff teach to the top ability in an environment of support, with all pupils benefitting from working with the unique skills and approaches of others. In Maths, pupils are set by attainment, allowing for progress at the right pace. |
| How much homework is set? |
| Homework tasks are regularly assigned to pupils and the amount of homework increases as they move up through the Prep School. We encourage parents and carers to work in partnership with class teachers to support homework assignments. All pupils are expected to try to complete their homework, to spend the allocated time on it and to do their very best. |
| How do you support pupils with additional learning needs? |
| We support pupils with additional learning needs through our Academic Mentoring programme and specialist staff. There are 1:1 lessons and small intervention groups available for any child working below the expectations of the year group or who needs specific support with an additional learning need such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD or English as an additional language. Please view our learning support and academic mentoring page here. |
Explore our Prep School
